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Pomegranate & Skin Health
Results from a 2023 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study revealed compelling findings on the impact of pomegranate (Punica granatum) extract on skin health, particularly through the gut-skin axis. Twenty-eight healthy adults aged 25–55 were administered either 75 mg of punicalagin, a potent polyphenol found in pomegranate (PE), or a placebo for four weeks. One of the…
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The Role of Digestion in Skin Health
Is compromised digestion playing a role in the health and vitality of your skin? A growing body of research would suggest yes. Our skin is the largest organ and therefore indicative of our internal state. Digestion is significant for absorption of vital nutrients and detoxification of harmful toxins that can otherwise impede cellular and skin…
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Melatonin & the Stress Response
Acute or chronic stress can trigger an overactive sympathetic nervous system, resulting in high oxidative stress. The immune system functions at its best in the parasympathetic state so when it switches to a sympathetic state, the body is vulnerable to disease. Chronic release of hormones such as cortisol, catecholamines and neuropeptides due to stress also…
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Insulin & Skin Health
If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the skin may be a window to internal metabolic health. Acne, psoriasis and other visible skin disturbances can negatively impact self-esteem and quality of life. Moreover, these issues are not solely a matter of aesthetics. They may be visible indicators of more serious internal metabolic dysfunction—specifically,…
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Surprising Relationship Between Insulin Resistance & Skin Tags
Word is getting out that elevated insulin is a major underlying factor in numerous chronic health issues even when blood glucose is normal. Previous articles have discussed the role of chronic hyperinsulinemia as a primary or exacerbating issue in the pathogenesis of conditions that are not typically thought to be metabolic in origin, such as…
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Cannabinoids & the Skin
Recent research has found that cannabinoids’ ability to help modulate the body’s natural inflammatory response may be behind their usefulness for a wide range of skin issues. At the time of writing, 28 states allow comprehensive medical cannabis programs and 1 in 10 adults who use cannabis in America use it for medical reasons. Topical…
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Vitamin D Levels and the Skin-Gut Connection
The results of a clinical trial conducted by researchers from the University of Columbia in Canada were published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. The trial explored the effects of Narrow-Band UltraViolet B (NB-UVB) radiation on the intestinal microbiota, specifically in those who were vitamin D deficient.
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4 Ways Melatonin Regulates the Stress Response
Acute or chronic stress can trigger an overactive sympathetic nervous system, resulting in high oxidative stress. The immune system functions at its best in the parasympathetic state so when it switches to a sympathetic state, the body is vulnerable to disease. Chronic release of hormones such as cortisol, catecholamines and neuropeptides due to stress also…
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9 Foods with UV-Protective Effects
Evidence suggests that diet can significantly alter how the skin responds to sun exposure. The epidermis is a highly regenerative barrier that protects the body from the external environment, including protection from UV radiation and pollution. Skin-healthy foods should be enjoyed raw (when possible) to benefit from their bioactive nutrients. Eating these nine foods will…
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9 Essential Nutrients for Healthy Skin
An average adult has two square meters of skin covering their body. Not only is it the largest neuroendocrine organ in the body, it’s also the largest detoxification organ. The appearance of the skin mirrors physical and emotional health due to the gut-brain-skin connection. As with other areas of the body, oxidative stress and free…